The director of a Pizza Hut franchise has been fined more than £39,000 after his branch was found to be infested with rats.

Alhassan Goussous pleaded guilty to failing to control pests at his restaurant on Chingford Mount Road in Waltham Forest, London.

Inspectors closed down the premises following a tip-off from a member of the public.

They found the establishment crawling with rats, as well as droppings, with signs of poor cleanliness and inadequate pest proofing.

Goussous’s firm, GH Pizzas Ltd, formerly MHAJ Pizza Ltd, operates 24 Pizza Hut locations across the capital.

According to companies house, it has annual takings of £14.5 million.

Goussous, 64, also operates restaurants under other popular high street brands, including Wendy’s.

The Waltham Forest Pizza Hut reopened in Nov

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